Obama's SECOND CHANCE, to do the right thing rather than caving to the Lobby

Abbas going back to the UN for help unless Israel stops the Settlement theft of land. This gives Obama another chance to stand with the International community as apposed to being the only one voting at the UN with the Israeli Lobby AIPAC. Does Obama have the 'balls' to tell Netenyahu to stop the Settlements or not ?

This from Haaretz News:

Abbas to Netanyahu: Respond favorably to Palestinian peace plan or we return to UN

Abbas gave the PM a month to respond to the Palestinian positions, which will be laid out in a letter to be delivered to Netanyahu next Wednesday during a Jerusalem meeting with Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad.

By Barak Ravid

"The Palestinian Authority will renew its efforts to win UN recognition for a Palestinian state if it does not receive a positive response from Israel to its positions on a prospective peace deal, PA President Mahmoud Abbas told an unofficial Israeli delegation on Sunday."

"It won't be just a letter," Abbas said, according to a source who was present at the meeting. "I also intend to turn to the public in Israel and around the world, and present the Palestinian positions regarding a peace agreement with Israel."

"Abbas said he would not wait until after the U.S. presidential elections in November, which he said U.S. administration officials had requested, before asking the UN General Assembly to upgrade the Palestinian Authority from "observer" status to that of a state without full membership in the United Nations. "

A thought provoking comment from Haaretz News - View > Imagine if anyone had been silly enough to suggest during WWII that the way to peace was for France's Vichy government to negotiate with Germany under Italy's auspices. It would have produced the same result as Fatah "negotiating" with Israel under Washington's auspices has. Its long past time to end the farce and take it to the UN General Assembly. Gordon 09.04.12 07:26

realifedad said"Abbas said he would not wait until after the U.S. presidential elections in November, which he said U.S. administration officials had requested, before asking the UN General Assembly to upgrade the Palestinian Authority from "observer" status to that of a state without full membership in the United Nations. "

This is one of those "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" moments that are difficult for any President.

realifedad said"Abbas said he would not wait until after the U.S. presidential elections in November, which he said U.S. administration officials had requested, before asking the UN General Assembly to upgrade the Palestinian Authority from "observer" status to that of a state without full membership in the United Nations. "

This is one of those "Damned if you do, damned if you don't" moments that are difficult for any President.

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I appreciate what your saying because if there ever was a case of being 'damned' either way, this is it.

But Jewish voters went for Obama last election at the rate of about 70% according to what i've read several times. They new his stand on the Settlements and the negative affect they had on peace then and if anything they're even more aware now. In a pole I read recently Obama's favorability with the Jewish voters is still in the 60% range in spite of everything the AIPAC crowd and their lap dog Republicans have done to steer them away saying that Obama "threw Israel under the bus". What he actually did was through the peace process for Palestinians and Israeli's under the bus to placate the fanatic far right Leadership of Israel, the US Israeli Lobby AIPAC as well as the US Christian Fundi's.

The important thing to remember is that the settlements, the Occupation and the attached well documented atrocities againste the Palestinians are the most often repeated reason for the hate of the US from the entire Middle Eastern world and since the US has stood alone with Israel in 'Carte Blanche' backing Israel with a VETO at the UN, we are every bit as guilty as the far right Israeli Leadership.

I'd be willing to bet that if anything Obama would come away with more votes if he actually stuck with telling Netanyahu that the damn settlements are to be stopped, then do just like Bush Number one did and threaten to pull the 3 billion support. Then come home and tell the US voters the exact truth that Israel's actions where the Settlements and the Occupation are concerned are cost the US Tax Payer Billions in fighting against what the CIA describes as "blowback" terrorism.

Sixty-two percent of Jewish American voters would like to see U.S. President Barack Obama reelected in November, and only 4% define Israel as the most important issue influencing their vote.

The results emerged as part of a survey conducted by the Public Religion Research Institute based in Washington, D.C.

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Seems to me this gives Obama plenty of room to do the right thing for peace where Israel and Palestine are concerned. The results could mean a great boon to our standing in the Middle East, a revival of our position as a true piece broker as apposed to a shill for Israelis far right LIKUD Party and an Israelii Lobby AIPAC's wish liist.